Weatherman Fred Talbot charged with sex offences by Manchester police

Fred Talbot faces 9 charges of incident assault and one serious sexual assault

(PA)

Weather presenter Fred Talbot has been charged with nine offences of indecent assault and one serious sexual assault, Greater Manchester Police confirmed .

The charges relate to the alleged sexual abuse of five victims, three of whom were under 16, which allegedly took place between 1968 and 1983, police said.

Six counts of indecent assault relate to one alleged victim at a Newcastle school.

The other offences relate to four alleged victims from Altrincham Grammar School for Boys.

Nazir Afzal, chief crown prosecutor for CPS North West, said: "We have carefully considered all the evidence gathered by Greater Manchester Police in relation to allegations from five complainants that Fred Talbot sexually assaulted them between the 1960s and 1980s.

"Having completed our review, we have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest for Mr Talbot to be charged with 10 sexual offences relating to five complainants, three of whom were under 16 years of age at the time."

The 64-year-old former weatherman is due to appear at Manchester Magistrates' Court on 11 February.